Love Scotland: Stories of Scotland's History and Nature

Tragedy at Hill of Tarvit

Surrounded by the beauty of Edwardian Britain, a family was devastated by tragedy.

In this week’s episode, Jackie steps into the gilded surrounds of Hill of Tarvit to discover the story of the Sharp family, who once called the mansion home. Set just outside Cupar and designed by Robert Lorimer, the house is a true 20th-century jewel with its hickory golf course, landscaped gardens and yew hedging.

But inside the house, there are a great many stories to be told. Jackie uncovers the aspirations, enterprise, bravery and, ultimately, tragedy of the Sharps: a family who had everything and nothing at all.

Visitor services supervisor Claudia Noble-Pyott leads Jackie through the house and its history, and reveals exactly what happened inside the mansion.

To find out more about Hill of Tarvit, please visit the website.

Stories and songs of Scottish battles

Earlier this year, to launch a new series of Love Scotland, Jackie recorded an episode in front of a live audience of National Trust for Scotland members in Aberdeen. 

Two of the nation’s foremost experts on battles joined Jackie on stage to discuss some of the most significant historic conflicts as well as the people who fought in them. They are Alistair Moffat, the award-winning writer and historian whose new book, War Paths: Walking in the Shadows of the Clans, follows in the footsteps of Jacobite fighters and leaders from 1613 until 1746, and Derek Alexander, the National Trust for Scotland’s Head of Archaeology.

Their discussion covers the importance of the Highland charge, the two Jacobite campaigns, and the battles of Killiecrankie and Culloden. Former BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year finalist Iona Fyfe provides some musical interludes inspired by these battles.

If you’d like to support the Culloden fighting fund, you can do so at nts.org.uk/donate or by texting CULLODEN to 70970, which will donate £5. 

Welcome to a new series of Love Scotland, brought to you by the National Trust for Scotland! Over the coming weeks, Jackie will be exploring the stories behind some top NTS places – including the multi-talented Lorimers of Kellie Castle and the tragedies that unfolded at Hill of Tarvit – and you’ll be able to hear the first ever live recording of Love Scotland in front of an audience. Plus, episodes on winter wildlife and one of Robert Burns’ most loved creations.

Subscribe now to make sure you don’t miss a single episode. For more on the National Trust for Scotland, visit the website.

In 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic began, many people looked back to the influenza epidemic of 1918 for historical context. However, going further back in time reveals centuries of viral diseases – and a bizarre list of supposed medical concoctions that would protect you from them.

Scotland’s “plague man” Richard Oram, a professor of history at Stirling University, knows a lot about these dark chapters of Scottish history. He guides Jackie through how the plague was viewed by a religious society, what comparisons can be drawn between responses to the historic outbreaks and the modern Covid-19 pandemic, and how the medical community reacted to the horrific viruses.

Plus, Jackie goes to Gladstone’s Land to learn more about the herbal remedies produced in desperation centuries ago.

To find out more about Gladstone’s Land, www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/gladstones-land

On a drizzly summer’s day, Jackie heads out to Ben Lomond to meet two people who feel at home in the hills. First, Jackie, president of the National Trust for Scotland, goes for a stroll with Zahrah Mahmood, president of Ramblers Scotland and an online influencer known as the Hillwalking Hijabi.

As they stretch their legs, they discuss the joys waiting to be found on Scottish slopes, and Zahrah tells the story of how she first discovered a passion for hiking as an adult. Then, Jackie meets Alasdair Eckersall, ranger and property manager at Ben Lomond, who has been working at the site for 31 years.

He reveals how he keeps Ben Lomond’s 50,000 annual visitors on the right path and gives his top tips for a safe day in the hills.

To find out more about Ben Lomond, visit www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/ben-lomond

For more outdoors inspiration, visit www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/search?place-category=Outdoors#results

Following last year’s episode investigating the 2022 outbreak of avian flu among Scottish seabird colonies, Jackie returns to St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve in the wake of new cases being reported. Joined by ranger Ciaran Hatsell, Jackie learns how this year’s cases have been identified and exactly how the disease is impacting kittiwakes at St Abb’s Head and beyond.

Listen in to find out how Ciaran and other NTS staff are helping in the fight against avian influenza, and discover more about what you can do to report dead seabirds.

To find out more about St Abb’s Head, visit www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/st-abbs-head

To find out more about the Save Our Seabirds campaign, visit www.nts.org.uk/campaigns/seabirds

If you see a dead or dying bird, do not approach or touch it. Instead, report it to the DEFRA helpline on 03459 33 55 77 and alert a member of National Trust for Scotland staff if possible.

You can also report findings of sick or dead birds through the UK Government website (www.gov.uk/guidance/report-dead-wild-birds), and, if you recognise the species, via the British Trust for Ornithology (www.bto.org/our-science/projects/birdtrack).

Keep dogs on leads whenever you’re in an area where there is a chance of dead seabirds.

An icon of Scottish culture, Robert Burns is best known for his beautiful, moving, and humorous poetry. Born in 1759, he died just 37 years later – an early passing attributed to alcoholism.

However, recent advances in medical knowledge have raised questions about the accuracy of this diagnosis. Professor David Purdie, co-author of The Burns Encyclopaedia and a doctor of medicine, has used his clinical expertise to analyse Burns’ physical symptoms.

His research touches on a character assassination in the immediate aftermath of Burns’ death, the truth of his alleged alcoholism, and new theories as to what really caused the poet’s death.

To find out more about the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, visit www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/robert-burns-birthplace-museum

An icon of Scottish culture, Robert Burns is best known for his beautiful, moving, and humorous poetry. Born in 1759, he died just 37 years later – an early passing attributed to alcoholism.

However, recent advances in medical knowledge have raised questions about the accuracy of this diagnosis. Professor David Purdie, co-author of The Burns Encyclopaedia and a doctor of medicine, has used his clinical expertise to analyse Burns’ physical symptoms.

His research touches on a character assassination in the immediate aftermath of Burns’ death, the truth of his alleged alcoholism, and new theories as to what really caused the poet’s death.

To find out more about the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, visit www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/robert-burns-birthplace-museum

Jackie is joined by Jonathan Grant, who after 13 years is about to retire as a ranger on three Hebridean islands. Earlier this year, when news of his resignation was announced, it was headline news around the world. Now, he has time for a proper discussion about his experiences on Mingulay, Pabay and Berneray.

He reveals why he feels he became part of nature, what life is really like when you’re the only person living on an island, and how he took on the responsibilities of caring for such important places.

Find out more about the Love Our Islands campaign at www.nts.org.uk/campaigns/love-our-islands. We already work very hard to protect our islands, but we still need to do more. With your help, we can protect the history and wildlife in these very special places. If you can, please donate today.

In this week’s episode, Jackie follows the story of Lady Aberdeen – a woman born into wealth who became a lifelong social reformer, healthcare advocate, and champion of the underdog. By the time she died in the 1930s, the riches were gone – but a legacy remained.

Joining Jackie is Simon Welfare, the author of Fortune’s Many Houses: A Victorian Visionary, a Noble Scottish Family, and a Lost Inheritance, which charts how Lady Aberdeen and her husband used their wealth for good.

The episode was recorded in the grand surroundings of Haddo House, which was presented to Lady Aberdeen on the occasion of her husband finishing his service as Governor-General of Canada in 1898.

To find out more about Haddo House, visit www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/haddo-house